The L.A. connection

Burbank councilwoman Stacy Jo Murphy's arrest on suspicion of gun and cocaine violations in connection with the Vineland Boyz gang prompted woman-in-the-news stories in the Daily News and Times. Both mention that part of her legal problem involves her rough-around-the-edges boyfriend, Scott Schaffer, the former president of City Cab. Jason Kandel's DN story says that Schaffer told investigators he traded guns to gang members for cocaine, stored guns at Murphy's house, and fingered her to the cops. Not mentioned in either story, however, is that Schaffer is a familiar presence on Los Angeles campaign contributor reports. Between 1999 and 2001, he gave $23,450 to more than a dozen candidates, including Jim Hahn, Richard Riordan and current incumbents Rocky Delgadillo, Laura Chick, Alex Padilla, Dennis Zine, Wendy Greuel, Jan Perry and Tom LaBonge. He also gave to Antonio Villaraigosa's 2001 campaign for mayor. Source: City Ethics Commission website.